Remembering Mothers

Oh, I hope this is not yet late…A few minutes from now and it’s going to be another special day to celebrate in our family.  Even though there are many material gifts that we can think of giving on Mother’s Day, I think the simplest and most inexpensive yet profound and eternally-meaningful gift that we can offer our Mothers is a special prayer.  So this is my prayer to all the women who have been blessed to raise God’s children and heed the high and noble call of motherhood.  Happy Mother's Day!

Lord, you brought someone special to this world for a purpose –

Not just to birth and to raise your children, but to nurture and train them in godliness and righteousness.

I pray that you will bless her with the many ways she’s been a blessing to others.

Surround her with your love and with the love of those who care so much for her.

Grant her strength daily to fulfill the high and noble call of motherhood.

Grant her courage to face all trials and tribulations; hope and encouragement to not grow weary because laboring in the Lord will not be in vain.

My Heart Goes Out to Japan

My heart goes out to all the people living in Japan (and to those who have relatives there) in this time of devastating calamity in their country.  As I watch the news on t.v. and see the photos in the internet, I couldn’t help but imagine how difficult it must be for people loosing their properties and personal possessions, and how painful it must be for people loosing their loved ones and people finding loved ones who are still lost.

I personally admire how the Japanese people have shown incredible strength and solidarity through this very difficult time.  Despite of the tragedy that happened, their love and loyalty to their country remain.  Some nationals could have opted to leave their country and find a safer refuge with their families abroad, but they have made a great sacrifice to remain and help their country get up from this unexpected fall.  And they are optimistic that, as a nation with great confidence in their government, they will be able to surpass this great trial.  What a great time to teach our children about real heroes.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Looking at what happened to our children over the weekend in a different light, I realized how wonderfully God formed the human body.  Every internal and external organ and every body part, to the tiniest details, have all been carefully planned and thought of to function uniquely, cohesively and purposefully.  It is said that the human body is the greatest machine on earth.  Isn't that amazing? Nerve signals travel through muscles at speeds as fast as 200 miles per hour.  The brain puts out enough electric power to light a 20-watt light bulb.  If our leg muscles moved as fast as our eye muscles, we could walk over fifty miles in one day!  And according to scientists, bone is among the strongest building materials known to humankind.  In addition, God has given our body the ability to heal itself and defend itself from unwanted microorganisms, if only we respond with proper care and not abuse it.  He has also given us a wide variety of natural resources that our bodies can take, if only we utilize them wisely.

In Psalm 139:14 it says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  When God created us, He made us exactly the way He planned.  He planned who our parents will be.  He planned our size, the color of our eyes and skin, even how many hair strands we have on our head, everything about us!  Even before we were in our mother’s womb, His plans were all carefully laid out for us.